All Reviews for Traditional Crafts

First, the instruction is thorough. The staff is refined and polite. You are also allowed to practice properly. For those with presbyopia, reading glasses may be essential.

The finished work can be photographed with the Asahi Beer sculpture visible through the window. There is also a dedicated shooting area with good lighting, which was great.

The completed work is packaged like a purchased product and placed in an original paper bag.

まず指導が丁寧。品のいいスタッフ。練習もちゃんとさせてもらえます。老眼の人は老眼のメガネが必須かも。
出来上がった作品は、窓越しに見えるアサヒビールのオブジェを入れて撮影可能。またライティングがしっかりしている専用撮影場所もあって良かったです。
出来上りの作品は買った商品のように箱詰めされ、オリジナルのペーパーバックに入れてもらえます。

Had so much fun with this.The instructor was very clever teaching and has a lot of knowledge around the history of the art. Good sense of humor and his English is good. Absolutely worth my time.

We experienced this with three fourth-grade girls. They were slow to catch on and not very skilled, but I am grateful to the staff who kindly assisted each one of them. We participated because I wanted them to bring handmade items as souvenirs for their homestay family abroad, and I am very excited to see how they will explain it to their family.

小学四年女子三人で体験しました。飲み込みも遅いし手際も悪い、なのに一人一人に丁寧に対応してくださったスタッフさんに感謝です。
海外ホームステイ先へのお土産にと手作りの品を持たせたく参加しましたが、彼女たちがファミリーに何と説明するのか、とても楽しみです。

It was a cozy place with a great view. I hadn't thought about the design, so it was a bit spontaneous, but I had fun. I got a bit discouraged by my lack of skill along the way, but I managed to finish. The teacher comforted me by saying, "You're doing great!" I promised my friend a rematch. I don't know when it will be, but I will definitely come back.

見晴らしのいい場所で、こじんまりとした場所でした。
デザインを考えてなかったので行き当たりバッタリでしたが、楽しかったです。
途中で自分の下手さにへこみましたがなんとか仕上げました。先生が上手に出来てますよ！と慰めてくれます。友達とリベンジを約束しました。いつになるかわかりませんが、また伺います。

Fun and unique chance to experience a traditional Japanese craft and walk away with a personal souvenir. Would happily do it again.

I participated in a craft experience during my trip. Among various crafts, I found some to be a bit challenging to master. Since you can't redo parts that you've carved away, you need to be decisive. Even if you make mistakes, those become memories... You can choose your favorite glass and design, but the most important thing is to enjoy it without overthinking! There were parts I couldn't do as I had hoped, but I was satisfied with the valuable experience. I want to cherish the finished glass as well.

旅行先で工芸品の体験ものがあると参加している。いろいろな工芸品の中でもちょっとコツをつかむのが難しいものだと思う。削ってしまったところはやり直せないので思い切りが必要。失敗したとしてもそれも思い出ということで…　好きなグラスと好きな図柄を選ぶことができるが、凝りすぎず楽しむという気持ちが一番！　思うようにできなかったところもあるが、貴重な体験ができて満足。出来上がったグラスも大事に使いたいと思う。

Every year, my sister and I have an event where we take my niece out to celebrate her birthday without the parents. Now that she’s in the fourth grade, we wanted to do something different from the zoo or amusement park, and although I thought it might be difficult, we participated in an Edo Kiriko glass-cutting experience. I was a bit worried about how much I could understand from the objective explanations given by the instructor, but we didn’t get hurt, and she said it was the best experience yet and that she wants to come back next year! Thank you very much.

毎年姪っ子の誕生日に親は抜きでオバ二人で出かけて遊ぶと言うイベントをやってますが、小学四年になったので動物園や遊園地じゃない何かをと探してて、難しいかもと思ったけど江戸切子の体験に参加しました。
説明をしてくれたお兄さんの客観的な説明をどのくらい理解出来たのか不安に思いましたが、怪我もせず、来年も来たい！と今までで一番いい評価でした。ありがとうございました。

I really learned something about how to handle the brush for sumi painting. The teacher was terrific to work with, very positive and engaged. I would like to take the next lesson. Wonderful view of the world through painting.

When you have done and seen everything on your ‘must do’ list in Tokyo, this is the perfect way to create your own momento of your visit.

The instructor was patient and knowledgeable about what is required to make your own Kiriko glass, the rest is up to you. There was a good amount of time to practice before you start to make your own cut glass and there are sample designs for you to copy which you sketch onto your glass.

I would not recommend this for very young children as it requires a steady hand and concentration when using the mechanical wheel.

The only suggestion I would make to Veltra is that they send instructions of the venue in map form as it was slightly tricky to find the venue.

All in all a very enjoyable activity for a few hours.

Sumi-e is much more than a painting activity, it's a glimpse into another world...another way of seeing... This 2 hour-ish experience only scratches the surface, so if you don't have 2-3 years to explore Sumi-e it is probably a great alternative! Yuta was a fun, encouragingly positive instructor with a good heart. The studio is an absolutely gorgeous workspace. You are surrounded by a master's work for inspiration.

I had a few hours to spare in Asakusa, so I decided to participate. First, we chose our glasses. You can opt for colored glasses for an additional fee. After that, we decided on the design, practiced, and then it was showtime. I was really anxious about getting hurt, but that worry was unnecessary; it was much safer and easier than I imagined.

I don't think the results were particularly beautiful, but it was so much fun, and I was very satisfied. I can already tell that every time I drink from this glass, I'll remember this experience... and I'm really looking forward to it!

(The glass shop on the first floor was also very lovely. I definitely want to purchase something there for a special event.)

浅草で数時間の空きができたので参加。
まずはグラス選びから。追加料金で色付きのグラスを選ぶこともできます。その後はデザインを決め、練習→本番。怪我をしないかとても不安でしたがその心配は不要で、想像より安全で平易な作業でした。
決してきれいな出来映えではなかったと思いますが、とにかく楽しくて大満足。このグラスでお酒を飲む度に今回の体験を思い出すんだろうなあ...と今からとても楽しみです！

（一階にあるグラスショップもとても素敵でした。大切なイベントの際にぜひ購入してみたいです）

We participated as a group of six to celebrate a friend's birthday. At first, I was anxious about using the machines, but the operation was easier than I expected. I would like to try it again.

友人の誕生日の記念に6名で参加しました。最初は機械を使うことが不安でしたが思ったより操作が簡単でした。またチャレンジをしたいです。

Yuta was an engaging and insightful teacher, who speaks English very well. Very good with our kids and with a great motto that there are no mistakes in Sumie art, just personal expression. Thank you for this fun activity and lessons. We have already bought brushes, ink, a cloth and paper to continue learning more.

They kindly taught how to cut and draw Edokiriko glass. We could communicate with the instructor in English as well as Japanese. The glasses we made were kind of not perfect one, but really adorable and handmade.

I would highly recommend taking this class. I love sumi-e ink paintings from before, for their graphic powerful qualities. Back home I had painted a bit from before, making myself familiar with the medium and some techniques - but - this was exactly the sort of introduction I was hoping for.

The teacher was super friendly, helpful and fun. He thought me different techniques to use, stories about how sumi-e came to Japan, and the philosophy behind the art form. Our talks were super inspiring and I know I will take up painting once I'm back home again later this year. There, all my washi papers will await me, bought in Tokyo at a great art store I got directions to after the class.

Really, thank you!

The experience was great. The instructor knew a lot of English and was a good teacher; she worked with me to design my own custom piece. I am in love with my new little piece of art and I would recommend this opportunity to anyone who wants an experience different than the tourist spots. (It is a bit tough to find...when you arrive at street level, walk straight ahead about 10-15 feet and turn right onto the street. It looks like an alley, but it is not. Look for small blue signs with the house number. When you find the store that sells glass and crystal ware, you have arrived. The location/house is on your left side.)

I experienced Edo Kiriko for the first time!

After choosing a glass, I received a brief explanation of the machine and then immediately practiced with a practice glass. I was so nervous thinking, "Wait, we're doing it already?" (laughs)

At first, I wasn't very good, but gradually I got the hang of it and was able to engrave my favorite design onto the glass. It was fun to work at my own pace. The instructor was also in a spot where it was easy to talk to them, which made for a very pleasant environment!

Since I made it myself, I ended up with a glass that I feel very attached to!

江戸切子を初めて体験しました！

最初にグラスを決めたあと、軽く機械の説明を受けたらすぐに練習用グラスで実践。
えっ、もうやるの？とドキドキでした（笑）

最初は下手でしたが、徐々に出来るようになって、自分の好きなデザインをグラスに刻めるようになりました。
マイペースに作業できて楽しかったです。
先生も話を聞きやすい場所にいて下さるので、とても嬉しい環境でした！

自分で作ったためにとても愛着の持てるグラスに仕上がりました！

I strongly recommend this workshop to whoever is interested in more hands-on experiences of Japanese culture! It's definitely suitable for all ages and abilities. The instructor is such a friendly and communicative person. The workshop was, as we expected, very hands-on as we did a lot of painting using different traditional techniques. Moreover, we learnt so much about the sumie painting and its role in the Japanese culture. A big thank you for this enriching cultural experience!

The frustration of not being able to carve as I wish. It also requires quite a bit of time and concentration. But even if I make mistakes, the instructor will fix them for me (laughs). In the end, it turned out to be something I was satisfied with. If I do it about three more times, I wonder if I'll get used to it and become better. It turned out to be a nice souvenir, so I'm glad.

思うように削ることができないもどかしさ。そして、結構時間と集中力が必要とされます。
でも、失敗してもお兄さんが直してくれます(笑)
最終的には、満足のいくものになりましたよ。
あと三回くらいやったら、慣れて上手になるかなあ。といったところです。
いい記念品になり、よかったです。

I was working quietly. Since I went with friends from the company, there were a lot of us, but they were able to accommodate us properly. I'm glad we could have fun while making it.

黙々と作業していました。会社の友達と行ったので、大人数でしたがちゃんと対応いていただけました。楽しく作れて良かったです。

Was interesting and difficult to do it so perfect as they have but was very good class. Loved it

It took about an hour and a half to create the original glass. It's within a 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station, making it convenient to use during your sightseeing in Asakusa.

First, you choose your favorite glass, consult with the instructor to decide on the design, and then draw a sketch. I opted for deep lines instead of traditional patterns. After practicing the basic cuts, it was time for the real thing! With guidance, I cautiously placed the glass against the rotating blade. Gradually, I learned how to control the pressure and carve deeper, but cutting long lines straight was challenging. After several attempts, I completed it.

It's a great experience, and you get to take the glass home as a souvenir or keepsake. Next time, I want to try traditional patterns as well.

約1時間半でオリジナルグラスが出来ました。
浅草駅から徒歩5分圏内。浅草観光の空き時間にも利用できます。

まずは好きなグラスを選び、先生と相談しながらデザインを決め、下絵を書きます。
私は伝統的な柄ではなく、深めのラインのみを選択しました。
基本のカットを練習してから、いざ本番！
手ほどきを受けて回転する刃に恐る恐るグラスをあてます。
少しずつ力加減が分かり深く彫れるようになりましたが、長めのラインを真っ直ぐにカットするのが難しい。何回か繰り返して完成。
体験が出来て、グラスを持ち帰れるので、お土産や記念になります。
次回は伝統的な模様にも挑戦したいと思います。

Four years ago, I took the course for the first time and learned about "musubi" (the art of tying). This year, I attended for the second time as a review, and I was able to solidify my understanding even more. I believe it will be very useful in my daily life. I once again recognized that furoshiki wrapping is one of the wonderful aspects of Japanese culture.

4年前に1回受講した際、初めて「真結び」を教わりました。
今年は復習の意味で2回目の受講。さらにしっかりと身に付けることができました。
実生活で大いに役に立つと思います。
風呂敷包みは素晴らしい日本の文化の一つだと、改めて認識しました。

Very friendly, cool, and yet very professional teacher.
As I was alone on that course, my wife (who is japanese) was also welcome to stay and join the course.
We learnt many things about the history of Sumi-e, while we were practicing.
The teacher has a lot of humour. It was a very good experience, and a good combination between fun and concentration.
I really recommand, not only to beginners.
Arigato gozaimasu !

Fantastic English speaking instructor. A lot of fun to do as a couple! We had a blast and love our beautiful glasses.

I was nervous during the experience, but they taught me carefully, and I was able to create my own Edo Kiriko. I felt like the teacher's words were a bit cold, though.

体験で緊張しましたが、丁寧に教えてくださり自分の江戸切り子ができました。ちょっと先生の言葉が冷たいような気がしましたが。

I was nervous, but thanks to the cool teacher, we all had a fun experience together. There were moments of hesitation that led to mistakes, and indeed, there were many failures, but that was also a great part of the experience! Thank you very much.

緊張もしましたが、クールな先生のおかげでみんなで楽しく体験ができました。
一瞬の気の迷いで失敗をしてしまうという緊張もありました。実際失敗もたくさんありましたが、それも体験のいいところでしたｗ
ありがとうございました。

This lesson was a very enjoyable experience, with a bit a history included. I was the only one in the class and would highly recommend it.

It was my first experience, but the staff were kind, polite, and provided accurate advice, so it was very good. Every time I see the glass, it makes me happy, and I will handle it carefully to avoid breaking it.

初体験でしたがスタッフの方が優しく、丁寧、的確にアドバイスしてもらえたので
とても良かったです。
グラスを見るたびに嬉しくなり、割らないように大切に扱います。

Yuta was a very kind, very patient and very interesting person to meet.
Through painting he taught us the symbolism of Japan. The time flew by so quickly that I can back for a second time.
Sumie is a craft that I will bring back with me home.i will continue to draw and practice the techniques you showed. I am very grateful for this experience